Bertram mayor announces resignation
BERTRAM — City Council will hold a special meeting Nov. 19 to consider Mayor Winnette Morris’ resignation.
During the Nov. 13 regular meeting, Morris told the council she is resigning.
"I thank the citizens of Bertram for allowing me the opportunity to be their mayor," Morris said.
Morris, who has lived in Bertram about eight years, was elected mayor in 2010. She won re-election in May.
Her husband, Darrell Wayne Morris, died unexpectedly in August. Morris said since then one of her five children is building her a house near him in Killeen.
"I hope to have Christmas in my new home," Morris said.
Because a mayor must live in the city limits, her move is the reason for her resignation, she said.
Dickie Allen currently serves as mayor pro-tem, but council will ultimately decide who follows Morris as mayor.
"The purpose of (the Nov. 19 special meeting) will be to lay out a management plan," Bertram City Secretary Evan Milliorn said.
Council members are expected to officially accept Morris’ resignation and decide how to move forward with a year and a half remaining on the mayor’s term.
Morris was not shy in her support of Allen.
"They have options. They could appoint (Allen) as mayor, or they could appoint some other person in the city as the mayor," Morris said. "I think (Allen) will be appointed hands-down."